HTC boys keep going after six-win season

Crusaders still young

Last year, we played a lot of younger kids and they got invaluable experience. And we’re still really young.”

John Hellige, HTC Head Coach

FORT MADISON - Holy Trinity’s boys basketball team won six games last season, but coach John Hellige thinks that can be a foundation for this season.
“It was baptism by fire,” Hellige said. “The kids and the coaches really kept a positive outlook throughout the season. We just really tried to focus on each quarter, each game, to improve.”
What Hellige appreciated the most was how the Crusaders wanted to keep going after their season had ended.
“We really didn’t slow down,” he said. “After the season, I told them I wanted them to take some time, and they were like, no, let’s go.”
That work led into a summer in which the Crusaders played 21 games in different leagues.
“We got a ton more experience,” Hellige said. “We basically got two seasons out of one season.”
Holy Trinity, which opens Monday at home against WACO, brings back the bulk of last season’s team. Hellige recited the stats — 74 percent of last year’s scoring is back, along with 67 percent of the rebounding and 91 percent of the assists.
“Last year, we played a lot of younger kids and they got invaluable experience,” Hellige said. “And we’re still really young.”
Leading scorer Conner Gehling returns after a season in which he averaged 13.1 points.
“He’s had a great summer,” Hellige said. “He’s a huge part of our game plan.”
Gehling and Luke Hellige, now a sophomore, combined for 242 rebounds last season. Sophomore Adam Sobczak is back after leading the Crusaders with 90 assists.
Forward Nick Fullenkamp is the team’s lone senior. Guard Maddox Rung is a junior.
Hellige also has a deep bench.
Freshman guard Layne Rung is a “drop-dead shooter,” Hellige said. Brayton Schneider and Koby Jones provide frontcourt depth and Nathan Box and Tate Green will see time in the backcourt.
“We’re still looking for that sixth man, seventh man, but we have a good group,” Hellige said.
The momentum from last season, Hellige said, has carried over.
“I think we learned a lot,” he said. “And the good thing is we don’t just have one season with this group. We’re still young and we’ve got room to grow."